Game Changer: College Athletes’ Employee Status in Light of Johnson and the Changing NCAA Landscape

describe the effect that women's basketball superstar, Caitlin Clark, has had on both the NCAA and now the Women's National Basketball Association ("WNBA").2 The Caitlin Clark Effect was a major success for every facet of the NCAA by increasing viewership, attendance at both home and away games, ticket prices, value of the sport, and overall visibility for women's sports.3 With universities and the NCAA profiting from players' name, image, and likeness, many athletes are beginning to question their role in these transactions: are they athletes, employees, or both?The NCAA has never voluntarily recognized college athletes as employees.4 Prior to 2025, the NCAA upheld a tradition of amateurism which prohibited college athletes from accepting payment for athletic performance.5 The rules